FOI reference: FOI-2026-3645
You asked
I would like to know how much the Shape Tomorrow study will cost please.
We said
Thank you for your request.
The Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) has evolved from a series of research, design and delivery activities undertaken over several years. Directly attributable costs associated with designing, developing, testing and operating TLFS have been captured from 2021 to 2022, to 2025 to 2026.
The cumulative direct cost over this five-year period is £67.6 million. The majority of expenditure relates to the large-scale workforce required to deliver the survey, alongside other direct delivery costs such as printing, materials, postage and activities undertaken during the design and evaluation phases.
Estimated future annual direct costs are approximately £33 million, reflecting the ongoing cost of operating and supporting the survey. For context, during Quarter 1 (January to March) 2026, we contacted 258,430 households to participate in the survey.
The total lifetime cost of the programme cannot yet be confirmed, as it will depend on future decisions regarding the timing of transition to TLFS and any subsequent delivery requirements. These decisions will be influenced by programme readiness, data quality outcomes and wider stakeholder considerations.